On March 10, the 96th Academy Awards (Oscars) will take place, honoring the best films of 2023. As usual, the public eye is primarily focused on the prestigious Best Picture award, which has attracted additional attention due to a particularly strong crop of films.
Read moreStanley Cup Consumerism: The Rise of the “Must-Have” and the Fall of Personal Style
In a world that is increasingly online, consumerism has reached an all-time high due to internet-crazed trends and an influx in online services. Products peddled by influencers come in and out of trend faster than ever, as the internet puts an overwhelming emphasis on “aesthetics” over personal and timeless style. Terms like “Amazon must-haves” and “old-money aesthetic” compel us to purchase unnecessary and unsustainable items. All because influencers — that are paid to sell these products — are doing everything in their power to make us believe that we just have to have the “next best thing.” It’s fun to buy trending products and get excited about new releases, especially if you’re going to continuously use them for years to come. However, it might be necessary to discuss the pitfalls of excessive buying and the need to have everything, not to mention in every color.
Read moreThe Day the Music Died: The TikTok and UMG Debacle
TikTok, the popular video app, has been a hub for musicians and music lovers alike since it appeared in app stores in 2016. Through the platform , users can lip sync to their favorite songs, create video edits of their favorite films and shows, participate in dance trends, and keep up with new music releases. Music is a fundamental feature of the app. What happens when artists can no longer promote their music with TikTok? What happens when users can no longer engage with popular artists?
Read moreRoaming, Writing, Slouching: Skidmore Alumnus Publishes First Book
Slouching is a collection of personal essays, anthropological observations, illustrations, and collages of found objects. Squire, who graduated from Skidmore in 2021, was one of forty recipients of the Creative Research Impact Centre Europe Fellowship (CIRCE), which awards young academics and budding scientists funding to complete a creative project. Funding from CIRCE enabled Squire to spend the summer of 2023 writing, walking, and drinking wine — among other things. Their project tackled the grand concept of geography, considering how spaces facilitate our interaction with them, and in turn, how humans leave evidence of their interaction — whether that landscape is urban or rural, literal or digital. Towards the end of November, the author made time to speak with The Skidmore News about Slouching. We chatted about talking to strangers, compulsive collecting, the qualities of a perfect notebook, and entrusting our writing to others.
Read moreSkidmore Students Walkout in Show of Support for Palestine
Just before 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 9, nearly 100 Skidmore students left classrooms all over campus crowded in front of Case Student Center to take part in a demonstration in support of Palestine. The urgency of the walkout was undoubtedly prompted by Israel’s siege on Gaza following Hamas’ capturing of about 240 Israeli hostages on October 7.
Read moreUpbeat New Orleans Sound Upstate: Tank and the Bangas Take Zankel
On Friday, November 10th, Tarriona “Tank” Ball sauntered onto the Arthur Zankel Music Center stage like she owned the place. And that night, she did. Tank and the Bangas’ one-of-a-kind sound swelled to fill the space. Tank was backed by a four-piece band and trio of back-up singers, and the ingenuity of each individual was evident. Altogether, though, the group was amplified. Tank and the Bangas’ commanded the attention of their audience. Under their spell, the concert hall came alive, coaxed by robust rhythms and breezy beats. Tank and the Bangas’ on-stage symbiosis and infectious energy made for an impressive show distinguished from the classical- and jazz-oriented music events that the space typically hosts.
Read moreIs Lionel Messi Revolutionizing Soccer in the United States?
American Major League Soccer (MLS) has long struggled to sustain an engaged and spirited fan base like its sister leagues in South America, Europe, and other regions of the world where soccer has a stronger foothold — no pun intended. Since his debut in July 2023, it is indisputable that Messi has quickly transformed Inter Miami. He scored in his first seven appearances, catalyzing Miami to unseen success in the MLS-LIGA tournament and MLS bracket. There is no question that Messi is one of the most talented individuals to grace our fields. Still, some might question whether or not he is capable of bringing about the transformative change needed to popularize MLS in America.
Read moreStaying Above the Algorithm: How Skidmore Students Consume the News
When a major event occurs, whether it be an international conflict or an urgent national crisis, it is reported immediately across the United States. If you are a college student who has access to a smartphone or a computer, you know almost immediately. You may receive a notification on your phone, or the person next to you did and repeated the headline. , whatever way you receive the news, it’s clear that college students can access the news faster and more efficiently than ever.
Read moreThe Closing of Saratoga Coffee Traders
Nestled amidst the busyness of Broadway Street resided a small oasis for Saratoga coffee lovers. In 2006, a coffee shop by the name of Saratoga Coffee Traders opened on 447 Broadway Street in Saratoga Springs, New York. On September 30th 2023, owner Scott Swedish announced with great sadness that the branch would be closing after seventeen years of operation and later relocating to nearby Schenectady. While Swedish wanted to keep the shop open until December to allow his employees to explore other employment opportunities, the lease had expired sooner than expected. He relayed to the local news outlet, NEWS10, that the circumstances were unfortunately beyond anyone’s control.
Read moreDo Skidmore Students Care About Sports?
At a party recently, I heard a friend of mine, a non-athlete, say something along the lines of, “I don’t have any idea what goes on in Skidmore athletics.” When I asked her why she thought that was, she responded that she just didn’t care that much about sports. This refrain is common among many Skidmore students who do not participate in sports. Compared to other, larger schools, this is odd. Student spectator turnout at games is low, as it is at many liberal arts colleges, but why is this the case? Why don’t Skidmore students care about sports?
Read moreTension by Kylie Minogue: A One Of A Kind Storyteller
Are you feeling in the mood for some dance floor bangers? How about some pop, country, or even disco? Whether you’re walking to class, working out at the gym, heading to a party, or are all in your feels, Kylie Minogue’s Tension could become the new soundtrack to your everyday life.
Read moreNapoleon Film Review: From the Sublime to the Ridiculous
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon (2023) shows occasional glimpses of potential but falls under its own weight, failing to tell a compelling story about one of the most compelling men in world history, ultimately winding up nothing more than a cinematic farce.
Read moreAlbum review: Taylor Swift reinvents herself again in 1989 (Taylor's Version)
Back in 2014, Taylor Swift was “reinvented for the first time” (according to herself) when she released 1989 in 2014, as this album represents her foray from country into pop. I was in fifth grade, on the cusp of middle school, when I first listened to “1989.” When I listened to “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” in 2023, the same emotions that I felt listening to 1989 in 2014 rose to the surface. This album is not just music; it recalls childhood memories that live in the back of my mind.
Read moreSkidmore student choreographers' fall showcase set to dazzle
The Skidmore Dance department’s Choreography II showcase will premiere this Saturday, November 18, at the Dance Theater, located in Williamson Sports Center, at 2:00 pm and 5:30 pm. This annual event is the culmination of Choreography II, a course required for the performance and choreography track of the dance major. Taught by Erika Pujic, the class is meant to incorporate skills students have learned from their first two years in the major—like individual and group work, choreographic tools, leadership and collaboration—into a space with other students. The 12 upperclassmen began the fall semester by holding open auditions which welcomed any Skidmore student with a background, or even an interest, in dance. From there, the students casted and held rehearsal processes with showings that included feedback from peers and professors alike.
Read morePalm-Sized Dragon
Photo by Matthias Gellissen
He isn’t a mighty dragon that any myths depict, bravely fighting off adventurers to protect his treasure, nor a fearsome companion that I soar through the skies with. You won’t see him on the battlefield, roaring with enough strength to shake the earth; in fact, he’s the quietest member of my family, squeaking only in surprise in the 20 gallons of water he lives in. He’s a Spanish ribbed newt, which my 11-year-old self named Issac Newton, a birthday gift that excited me beyond belief. I was over the moon upon learning that he could live with me for 20 years, defending me against the great foes of boredom and homework; my mom was undeniably thrilled to hear that as well, the remark conveniently made after she’d signed the receipt.
Read moreRetracing the Ongoing New York Migrant Crisis
Photographs by Yunghi Kim/Contact Press Images/CNN
In September of 2023, it was recorded that more than 118,000 migrants had arrived in New York City since the spring of 2022. This statistic prompted Mayor Eric Adams to declare a state of emergency in the city. Mayor Adams has been adamant about putting a stop to this crisis by begging the federal government, even going to Washington himself, to obtain sufficient funding and hasten work authorizations for the incoming migrants, which would allow them to be self-sufficient. Adams relayed his frustration by claiming that President Biden has “failed” the city by not attempting to do more. During this time, Adams has also been dissuading migrants from seeking shelter in New York City.
Read moreRepublican Primary Candidates Hope to Unseat Trump and Bring Change to the GOP — Who Are They and Where Do They Stand?
When discussing the 2024 Republican primary, we must keep one thing in mind — former president Donald Trump will in all likelihood be renominated. Polls show Trump maintaining a substantial lead over every challenger.
Read moreYour guide to the MLB postseason
At the beginning of October, the Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season wrapped up and moved on to postseason games. The MLB postseason is a high stakes series of playoff games spanning the month of October to determine which teams will compete in the World Series. This October so far has been a postseason of ups and downs with unexpected teams taking the top spots. If you haven’t been paying attention, fear not. This is a comprehensive and rather simple guide to the postseason, so you can jump right on the bandwagon when the World Series rolls around at the end of the month.
Read moreSkidmore welcomes Mongolian Folk artists
On September 23rd, Zankel Music Center launched listeners into a captivating cultural experience with The Tuvergan Band; a Mongolian folk group complete with an array of beautifully unique instruments and vocals. The Chicago-based band debuted in 2020 and has since toured countless venues including performing at The Chicago World Music Festival, The Chicago Cultural Center, and of course, our very own music center. Students and faculty were lucky enough to attend the performance free of charge, relax into a wonderful musical experience and gain new insight into music from other cultures. Music plays an integral part in Mongolian culture and the performance was a compelling and unforgettable experience. The folk band’s lead singer Tamir Hargana is also using this week to visit student’s classes, asking music students around campus to indulge in exciting new sounds and engage in conversation with new faces. He gave demonstrations and explanations of the vocal styles and instruments, led throat-singing workshops, and even let the students ask him questions and prompt discussion about the music.
Read moreannual arts quad party celebrates skidmore’s vibrant art scene
Formed five years ago, the Arts Quad Party was initially intended to incentivize students “who had never set foot in the building” to come check out the JKB, and it has since evolved into a social event which helps members of the Skidmore community destress, socialize and get in touch creatively before beginning the academic year.
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